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Kelworthy.”
    â€œHe might as well be Smith for all he means to me,” said Lorna. “And you’re going after them?”
    â€œYes,” said Mannering, so quietly that she knew it was useless to argue with him. “I wasn’t thinking of it when I first heard that they were wanted, but there are complications. Before I explain to you you’ll have to realise that four jewel collectors in different places have gems from the Castilla Crown, not knowing where they’re from. Pierre Panneraude, of Paris, has the diamond they call the Crown of Castile, a hundred and four carats, de Castilla says, and I’m prepared to believe him. Our Mr. Kelworthy has – or had – the Isabella Diamond. Archibald Price, probably the meanest collector in London, holds an emerald they call the Sea of Fire – all the stones, need I say, have the usual legends about them. I’d hate to tell you the story of the Desire Diamond, owned by a merchant-collector in Hatton Garden; a man named Salmonson, whom I don’t know from Adam. The fifth stone is a ruby, the bloodstone of the Castillas, which Juan calls the Flame Ruby. Van Royton, of New York, has it. And,” added Mannering, “they all know that someone wishes to buy the stones, but they’ve no idea that it is the de Castilla family.”
    â€œI’ve gathered that,” Lorna said drily.
    â€œIt’s important,” smiled Mannering, stretching his legs. From the drawing-room in Hampstead to this flat, with Lorna at his side, seemed a million miles. “De Castilla made the offer for twenty thousand pounds apiece through Ferris, a reputable dealer in Hatton Garden, but Ferris can’t get them. Jacob Kelworthy, with two friends, learned what Castilla wanted, and what he was offering. Kelworthy knows that the Don can as easily pay two hundred thousand as one hundred thousand for the stones, and will if he’s pushed to it. Kelworthy is a kind of uncrowned king of crooks, leading a tight little syndicate. He decided to try to get the jewels, bought the Isabella, and aims to get all five, then offer them to Castilla at two hundred thousand pounds or a hundred per cent above their value. We now see where the chivalry comes in. I’d like to beat Kelworthy’s syndicate to the gems, and sell to Don Manuel at his own fair figure.”
    â€œI can see that,” Lorna said, and the expression in her eyes was mutinous, almost sullen. “You’re inviting trouble from the police here, in France and in America, and you’ll have Kelworthy’s crowd on your back. Darling – it’s too risky, far too risky.”
    â€œI visited Kelworthy tonight, asking him to drop the game,” Mannering said. “He refused, so I collected the Isabella Diamond from him, with the Delawney sapphires. The sapphires being stolen property, Kelworthy isn’t likely to go to the police, but whether I drop out of the hunt or not, he’ll probably come gunning for me. So I stay in, sweetheart. I’m glad you’re going to Menton.”
    Lorna looked almost angry, and he guessed the thoughts passing through her mind. She hated the danger that always faced the Baron, but she understood the compulsion that sent him on these dangerous escapades, the zest he had for them. Suddenly, she threw back her head and laughed.
    â€œAll right, darling, I won’t interfere. Let’s get out somewhere, I want to dance.”

Chapter Four
    Fifty-Fifty
    Lorna Fauntley and her mother were staying at the Elan. Mannering took Lorna back, reaching the hotel just after three, and after a night of furious gaiety. It was Lorna’s way of facing up to weeks away from Mannering, with the knowledge that he faced the risk of capture so often.
    Mannering was back at his flat soon after four. He made sure that no one had been there, undressed quickly, set an alarm for eight, and got into bed.
    He was awake just before eight, and